Garrett Duke

Well several years ago in high school when I took a writing class, they had us do these writing exercises...one that I liked was where someone started the story with a sentence or a paragraph before passing it on to someone else to add onto it with their own paragraph or a sentence. So there is no theme or plot to plan ahead or to really think about, but just to write. So where one person takes it one way the other person can take the story/exercise to a different direction...if that makes sense? I had thought about starting this a long time ago, but chickened out not knowing how well it would go online, but with how quiet it has been around this forum, I thought I would try it out. I will get it started with the opening paragraph and if anyone wants to add on, feel free. But please keep it clean and fun...keep it G or PG rated...Thanks. *********************************************************************************************************** Staring down at the black and white photo that takes up most of the front page of the newspaper a wave of excitement hits Bo Duke as he reads and re-reads the big bold letters that read: HAZZARD COUNTY ANNUAL RACE! WINNER TAKE ALL! Not that he didn't know that the race was coming up as the race was held on the first weekend of every June, but seeing it in the paper makes it a reality. The race was coming up. Not only that he already knew who he would take to the big dance that is held afterwards. Looking up from the paper and out through the open window at the bright sunny day a smile spreads broadly across his face with the strong conviction that life was good and all was as it should be. For now at least.

Well perhaps we can agree to disagree? I have already said that I do see fans' point of view on all of this...but just because I say I also see NASCAR's side of all of this, don't make me all wrong either. And yes I do love NASCAR and perhaps I am biased in my opinion on all things NASCAR due to that...and just because I love NASCAR don't mean I think they are always right. No one is always right...I am not blind enough not to see that. Trust me...I can think of several instance that I didn't agree with NASCAR. And yeah perhaps Keselowski and Logano didn't race with the illegal parts or whatever was wrong with their cars, but they would have if NASCAR didn't check their cars out. I wasn't going to say this since I haven't heard anything factual about it...but did read an article on Yahoo! Sports that it was rumored that before that race started (that they were found with the issue) that Keselowski was parked next to Jimmie Johnson in the garage. Joey Logano was parked next to Jeff Gordon in the garage. That Keselowski and Logano was listening into Johnson and Gordon's communication with their team and that Rick Hendrick took it to NASCAR. As I said, the article even said it was rumored so obviously there is no factual information to it...which is why I didn't say anything before. So perhaps there is more behind all of this than what NASCAR is willing to let out to the public... And perhaps I am wrong to state this, but highly doubt NASCAR is trying to prevent competition...but where is the competition where a driver has parts on their car that is bigger or smaller than what they should be? Why make rules if you aren't going to give consequences to them if broken? You might as well as let the Cubs play with more players on the field than the Pirates...you get the point - it wouldn't be fair. As I said we can agree to disagree...I may not be right, but don't really see where I am all wrong either. So with that said, perhaps it would be best if I leave my opinions out of my posts and just stick with the facts.

Very true...it is hard in any league to keep the number one spot. Especially with a lot of people who are into sports like you described. Thanks for the smile...you are deserving of first place. Except for the fact that you already won your fantasy hockey league...think it is my turn to win. HA HA.

I have read people's comments of the sort on other sites or articles and I do see where they are coming from and I assume you are agreeing with them, Hoss? As I said, I do see where they are coming from, but do also see NASCAR's side. So perhaps I am in the minority here...but if NASCAR lets Penske's deal slide or Kenseth's deal slide, then another team is just going to go up and try to do the same thing, but perhaps make it more big. They are going to keep pushing the rules just to try to up the competion. Also, you have to throw in the fact that these here cars that they are messing with is NASCAR's baby. They have worked hard the past few years to put this car together...so they are being over protective of it. Just as they were when the Gen5 or COT car came out. They are making a statement that you don't mess with it. I do admit that they are a bit harsh on the whole Kenseth deal and perhaps they will lesson it on May 9 (I think) when Kenseth has his appeal. And trust me, I feel for Kenseth, Logano, and Keselowski for being put in this position...and their fans. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were in the same boat, as they are in, when the COT car came out and a part of their cars where too big or too small (wasn't the engine though as Kenseth's was). They got fined, docked points, and crew cheifs suspended and fined. Same sort of thing. And trust me when I say I wasn't happy when it was Gordon AND Johnson in that position...it did seem unfair and harsh. Well you read their opinions, Hoss...well, there was mine. Though I do agree...I do NOT like NASCAR's new web site. I guess it is OK if I am on Chrome, but anything else it just doesn't work or make sense.

Well team Penske has lost their appeal to drop their charges of illegal parts they were found with before the Texas race a couple of weeks ago (for Joey Logano's and Brad Keselowski's cars. They were found with their rear housing not being up to NASCAR's standards.) So Penske is going to take it another step take it from the three person panel to NASCAR's Chief Appellate Officer. (From Penske's appeal ) Also...after missing four races or so due to a back injury, Denny Hamlin has finally received the OK by his doctors to get into the race car for Sunday's race at Talledega. Team says they will make more plans once they get to the track, but sounds like they plan on Hamlin starting the race and having a back up driver get in the car sometime during the race. (Denny hasn't gotten any points from Mark Martin or Brian Vickers driving his car while he was out with the injury, but Denny can get points if he starts the race and has someone finish it for him.) I understand Denny Hamlin wanting to get into the car as soon as possible...it had to have killed him to sit on the side lines and watch someone driving his car and seeing his chance at the Chase dwindling down to next to none. But at the same time, do feel like Denny needs to think about what is best for him - long term. Talledega is a Super Speedway...restrictor plate racing. Talledega and Daytona are two of the fastest tracks on the circuit...Talledega is always known as having the BIG ONE or as Darrell Waltrip would say checkers or wreckers. Personally I would feel Talledega to be one of the worst tracks for Hamlin to return at...I mean if he gets hit or involved in the BIG ONE before he gets out of the car, what will that do to his injured back? They already have stated he will need surgery on it whether it be now or during the off season...why risk hurting his back worse by getting into the car now? (This past paragraph is of MY OPINION...for how little it is worth. I am not a Denny Hamlin fan by any means, but do feel bad for him to be put in this situation and am hoping for the best for him and his team this Sunday. Am sure he will be excited to get back into the car...)

Thanks Roger! Honestly don't know how I am doing it since I am doing HORRIBLE in my other two fantasy baseball, but as long as I am doing good in one, I am happy. It has been fun so far...hopefully can keep it up. Really? Your Pirates, first place? Saweet! LOL. That is something to be happy about...wish I could say the same about the Cubs. Sadly I can't. Aw well...I will take my lead in your fantasy baseball league and be happy with it. Especially knowing who I am up against - makes it even better. Thanks Roger.

Well I feel the need to vent... Must admit I did not watch the Nationwide Series race last Friday night and all that I know about what happened between Nelson Piquet Jr and Brian Scott is from what I read and the small video I have seen online. So perhaps I am missing something...I don't know. But apparently in NASCAR it is OK for a driver to kick another driver below the belt, but it is not OK for the crew members to fight that driver. Those two crewmembers of Brian Scott that had been arrested Friday night now have been suspended for four races and fined $15,000 as well as put on probation through the end of the year for not representing NASCAR well by the fight or something like that. Piquet Jr and Scott have been placed on probation through June 26 for their banging of cars...and yet nothing for the kick. Perhaps I am the only one not understanding NASCAR's reasoning behind this? I am a die hard NASCAR fan and will back NASCAR til the day they bury me, but all the same, just don't make sense to me.

Well Roger...I really wish I could. But sadly I am unable to convince NASCAR to change the points around in Dale Jr's and Gordon's favor. Though I would really love to...

Here is the official point standings as of Monday, April 29th, 2013: 1 - Jimmie Johnson 2 +4 Carl Edwards 3 +2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3 -1 Kasey Kahne 5 +3 Clint Bowyer 6 -3 Brad Keselowski 7 - Kyle Busch 8 -4 Greg Biffle 9 - Paul Menard 9 +2 Kevin Harvick wc 11 +1 Aric Almirola 12 -2 Jamie McMurray wc 13 +1 Matt Kenseth 14 - Jeff Gordon 15 -2 Martin Truex Jr. 16 +1 Ryan Newman 17 +3 Joey Logano 18 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 19 +4 Jeff Burton 20 +2 Kurt Busch 21 -5 Mark Martin 21 - Tony Stewart 23 -4 Marcos Ambrose 24 - Casey Mears 24 +3 Juan Pablo Montoya 26 -1 Danica Patrick 27 +1 Bobby Labonte 28 -2 Denny Hamlin 28 +1 Dave Blaney 28 +3 David Ragan 31 +1 David Reutimann 32 -2 J.J. Yeley 33 - David Gilliland 34 +2 A J Allmendinger 35 -1 David Stremme 36 -1 Travis Kvapil 37 - Landon Cassill 38 - Michael McDowell 39 - Terry Labonte 40 - Scott Speed 41 +1 Timmy Hill 42 -1 Ken Schrader 43 - Michael Waltrip 44 - Scott Riggs 45 - Brian Keselowski (Number on the side is where they are in the standings, the minus/plus sign and numbers are for the positions they lost or gained from last week...and wc means the slot for the wild card.) Well it is only Monday and I am already looking forward to / excited about Talledega on Sunday! Going to be a long week I have a feelin'...

You are very welcome. We have lost a true Country legend...while heaven is gaining a talented angel. Or I would like to think. It is incredibly sad to see the possum leave as he did...but when it is time, it's time. He was 81 years old. That is a very sad song and probably one of his biggest songs... RIP George Jones.

That is frustrating when your drivers do well and it doesn't help your team any...I had that happen a couple weeks ago when I had JJ and he led the most laps and won the race...and nothing to my team. Though I guess it helps if the other drivers did good too. Congrats on your win with Harvick t hough. You are welcome for the update. Enjoy writing them. Glad you had fun at the dirt track, Roger.

Yes Tony did own up to it and was glad to hear that...he got lose. So Tony didn't do it on purpose - should have said that. I was upset that it happened, not by who started it.

Well the Richmond race has just gotten over and have to say that the first half was pretty uneventful. Matt Kenseth started from the pole and led the most laps...or tied laps led with Clint Bowyer who led a lot of laps. Kenseth has led the most laps thus far into the 2013 season. Kasey Kahne had a good race going on until Mark Martin wrecked him into the wall...they said something was going on between the two of them, but didn't say what. Tony Stewart had a good race, but did cause a bit of a problem when he got lose and spun JIMMIE JOHNSON into the wall...as well as Kyle Busch who had been having a good night until then. Not a Kyle Busch fan, but am getting frustrated that majority of my fantasy drivers end up having some sort of an issue. 2012 Champion Brad Keselowski had a rough night as he had a tire go down and then later on NASCAR blackflagged him when he couldn't keep it up to speed. Then towards the end Vickers had something fail in his car and he hit the wall...to bring out the yellow. Making it a green-white-checkered finish. Surprisingly nothing big came out of it other than Kurt Busch making Tony Stewart mad. Don't see what really happened...looked more like a racing deal. But once the race ended, Tony kept running into the side of Kurt and then in the garage area they had a shouting match at one another. Stewart telling Kurt to "deal with it". Looks like they have sparked their old rivalry back...those two have a history of fights (though it has been awhile since Stewart last punched Kurt...) Nothing seemed to come out of it tonight...no punching or unlike last night, no kicking. Kevin Harvick went on to win the win at Richmond tonight. 1 Kevin Harvick 2 Clint Bowyer 3 Joey Logano 4 Juan Pablo Montoya 5 Jeff Burton 6 Carl Edwards 7 Matt Kenseth 8 Aric Almirola 9 Kurt Busch 10 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 11 Jeff Gordon 12 Jimmie Johnson 13 Paul Menard 14 A J Allmendinger 15 Ryan Newman 16 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 17 Martin Truex Jr. 18 Tony Stewart 19 Bobby Labonte 20 David Ragan 21 Kasey Kahne 22 David Reutimann 23 Dave Blaney 24 Kyle Busch 25 Landon Cassill 26 Jamie McMurray 27 David Gilliland 28 Josh Wise 29 Danica Patrick 30 Casey Mears 31 David Stremme 32 J.J. Yeley 33 Brad Keselowski 34 Timmy Hill 35 Brian Vickers 36 Greg Biffle 37 Travis Kvapil 38 Mark Martin 39 Joe Nemechek 40 Brian Keselowski 41 Michael McDowell 42 Marcos Ambrose 43 Mike Bliss Well eleventh place isn't where I was wanting to see the 24 car at, but after spending a lot of time in the 20s and 30s, I will be somewhat satisified with eleventh...proud of his efforts to fight back for eleventh. Proud of Jimmie Johnson to fight back from being in the top five before getting wrecked and to come home twelveth. You can never count out the 48 team - no matter what. We will be racing at Talledega next Sunday...where anything can happen. And generally does... Hopefully the 24 team can turn thier bad luck around.

Michael Waltrip/ Martin Truex Jr NAPA Commercial This commercial cracks me up!

Where is everyone? Would anyone be interested in an RP? I could come up with an idea if anyone would want to join me in an RP...Please let me know.

Well I guess at least Piquet Jr didn't bite Brian Scott...still think the kick should be penalized.

Thought you may know of him . . . or did you look that up? Seems like he likes to carry trouble around...or perhaps that is just me.

Well the world of Country music lost a great and talented artist...as well as a great legend in George Jones who passed away yesterday at the age of 81. What the world loses, heaven gains. RIP George Jones...you will always be missed. \ (The remark made beneath the video part on Youtube is worth the read...background on Alan Jackson and George Jones on that night. Would write it, but they wrote it better than I could remember it.)I remember watching that award show and being so proud to be a Alan Jackson fan and of AJ for standing up for what he believed in. George Jones was invited to sing his current song at the time "Choices" but was told he could only play part of it...Jones got mad and refused to go. So Alan Jackson cut his "Pop a Top" song short during his performance and went into "Choices" to honor George Jones. This video almost made me start to cry watching it today...very touching. RIP George Jones (AKA Possum) you will be forever missed.

Well things are surely getting out of control in NASCAR with all the fights and the penalties or the lack of penalties...and I think last night's Nationwide series race proved just that. Nelson Piquet Jr and Brian Scott seems to have a bad history with going after one another and last night it took a new turn. Mind you, I didn't watch the race, but have read about what had happened. Last night it seemed the two were fighting for twentieth position towards the end of the race when they got into each other. During the cool off lap, Scott showed Piquet he was upset by driving alongside of Piquet and Piquet ran Scott into the wall. Well that led to a confrontation on pit road when Scott went up to Piquet, some pushes went on between the two, before Piquet KICKED Scott below the belt (to say it kindly). They were both pulled into the hauler (though last night I heard it was only Scott- which I thought was wrong) but now they are saying both of them went. Also read last night somewhere that no punishments were thought to come out of the kick... Brian Scott and Nelson Piquet Jr is the article I read today with most information. Well it doesn't end there...it seems that two crew members of Brian Scott later got arrested for fighting with Piquet Jr and another person. Piquet Jr is OK and the other guy has a shoulder injury due to the fight. The crew members are now relased. Brian Scott's two crewmen arrested Here is the article where I got most of the info on the arrest from. Well if they can arrest the crewmen, why not arrest Piquet Jr for the kick? Why no penalties for the fight? Just don't understand...but if NASCAR isn't going to step in to stop this sort of behavior, this is what could happen...they take care of it themselves. My opinion for how little it is worth (Hey Hoss you know any more about Piquet Jr? He is said to come from F1 previously? Just thought I would ask. )

Well we are back to some Saturday night racing tomorrow at Richmond...and this fan is excited! LOL. Official starting order for Saturday night's race: 1 Matt Kenseth 2 Brian Vickers 3 Jeff Gordon 4 Kasey Kahne 5 Clint Bowyer 6 Juan Pablo Montoya 7 Joey Logano 8 Kyle Busch 9 Martin Truex Jr 10 Mark Martin 11 Marcos Ambrose 12 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 13 Jamie McMurray 14 Kurt Busch 15 Ryan Newman 16 Jeff Burton 17 Kevin Harvick 18 Dave Blaney 19 Dale Earnhardt Jr 20 David Ragan 21 Tony Stewart 22 David Reutimann 23 Brad Keselowski 24 AJ Allmendinger 25 David Stremme 26 Jimmie Johnson 27 Josh Wise 28 Carl Edwards 29 Paul Menard 30 Danica Patrick 31 Landon Cassill 32 Bobby Labonte 33 Greg Biffle 34 Aric Almirola 35 Michael McDowell 36 Travis Kvapil 37 David Gilliland 38 Mike Bliss 39 J.J. Yeley 40 Casey Mears 41 Joe Nemechek 42 Timmy Hill 43 Brian Keselowski Well looks like Kenseth's penalty either fired his team up or it didn't effect his running ability as he gains another pole for the second time in a row. Am very excited with Gordon's third starting spot and am encouraged to hear that he had the top speed in first practice today. Hopefully the 24 team can turn thier sour luck around into some GREAT luck! The Richmond race will be on tomorrow night (Saturday, April 27th) at 8:00 PM EST on FOX. (Just thought I would include a little news that I have read about...Denny Hamlin is hoping to start the Talledega race next weekend and be able to jump out and let a relief driver finish for him. Depending on if he can get cleared by his doctor I am guessing. He said that if he is not able to be in the car by Darlington (week after Talledega) he may decide that his chance at making the chase is unlikely and MAY opt to have back surgery now instead of during the off season as was planned in order to have a healthier 2014. If he does have the surgery he would be out for at least six weeks...could come back for the last few races but would have no hope at getting the championship...but then joked about Kenseth's penalty by saying "''if everyone keeps getting these penalties, I'm going to be the points leader soon.'' LOL that cracked me up! Anyway...will keep you posted on anything else I hear about Hamlin. Am not a Hamlin fan at all but do feel for him. This has got to be discouraging and frustrating to him. Also....Country singer Billy Curington was suppose to be the opening act for the All Star Race but he has been replaced by Josh Turner. I guess Curington got arrested on Thursday for making terroristic threats and for abusing an eldery person. He is out on bail...my respect for Curington has just gone down the drain.... Am so ready for some positive and uplifting news to share with y'all...perhaps after tomorrow's race I will be sharing a win by the 24 team...now that will be postive and uplifting! )

Worst fantasy NASCAR player? I think you are doing pretty good especially for your first year...keep positive. Plus I can't punish you when I am not doing much better. To many Chicago Blackhawk palyers on my team? Never heard of such a thing!

I agree...the penalty does seem harsh since it does seem to be an mistake on Toyota's part. Do believe the engine should have been examined before they put it into the car, but still...a mistake is a mistake. Though also do see NASCAR's view to feel like they should penalize it...I mean you allow this to slide, then it is going to be something bigger, and then bigger. Just don't agree with the extent of it. Hoss...you reminded me of something Chad Knaus (Jimmie Johnson's crew cheif) had said when he was suspended a few years back (back when the COT was the new car and both Gordon's and Johnson's car had a part that was not the right size...they got penalized and the ccs got suspended and perhaps fined). Chad had said that the crew cheifs were paid to push the envelope (his words) as far as it will go. Sometimes they push it too far...or something like that. (Meaning that they push the rules as far as they will go...) And I think the #1 problem I have with NASCAR would be their inconsistency with their punishments...or who gets punished for what and who doesn't get punished for the same thing. I even had sent them an e-mail about it and I just got a custom e-mail back saying they are too busy to respond but thanks for giving my time to NASCAR. Kenseth's crew cheif will be with him this Saturday night as they are going ahead with the appeal. His suspension will start whenever they do the appeal and decide on what official penalty will go to the 20 team.

Thanks Lizzy for the full explanation behind it. Did see where Toyota took credit for it, but do think that each team should examine their parts before using them. As for the owner's license do believe Matt will be able to drive, just means that Gibbs will not get any owner points during the duration that his license on that car is suspended. Good question Roger on the fine....I remember after the altercation between Gordon and Bowyer last year where both their crew cheifs were fined that they said that the cc is responsible for ALL of the team which is why they are the ones to get fined and penalized. Do believe they said everyone pitches in or something like that for the monetary fine. Could be wrong on that last part. Am sure Kenseth will try to appeal it as is Keselowski and Logano are doing with their penalties...will keep you updated with any other info.

First of all, thank you Roger for stating who won the race...I turned the computer off a few laps short to let it my lap top cool down before leaving. Feel like a horrible NASCAR reporter this week...shame on me! Well y'all...I really don't know where to start. I came on here to post the finishing order and the standings, but have just read about some MAJOR penalities. So I guess I will get to the finishing order first, followed by the standings, and then the penalities. May be a long post, please hang in there. FINISHING ORDER FOR THE KANSAS STP RACE (top ten finishing spots) 1 Matt Kenseth 2 Kasey Kahne 3 Jimmie Johnson 4 Martin Truex Jr. 5 Clint Bowyer 6 Brad Keselowski 7 Jamie McMurray 8 Aric Almirola 9 Mark Martin 10 Paul Menard TOP TWELVE STANDING POINTS 1 - Jimmie Johnson 2 +5 Kasey Kahne 3 +1 Brad Keselowski 4 -1 Greg Biffle 5 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. 6 -1 Carl Edwards 7 -5 Kyle Busch 8 - Clint Bowyer 9 - Paul Menard 10 +2 Jamie McMurray wc 11 - Kevin Harvick 12 +1 Aric Almirola (Sorry for the finishing order and official points after the Kansas race...I thought with the news I just read about I should probably shorten it to keep people's attention. If you want the rest of the line ups for both, let me know and I will post it...) First off for the news...Denny Hamlin was expected or thought he had a fifty-fifty chance to make it to Richmond's race this Saturday night -his home track. Which would have been an early return date as to what was expected...well he didn't get cleared by his doctor to race, so once again he will be watching the race or at least not in his 11 car. But the MAJOR news I had mentioned earlier is this.... Matt Kenseth who had gained the ultimate points in a race on Sunday by getting the pole, leading the most laps, and winning the race has just got penalized...BIG time. After every race NASCAR takes back two cars to do a thorough inspection of the car...the winner's car and a random car. Well Kenseth won so they took his car and someone else's car back to the shop and well, they found parts on his engine not meeting NASCAR's standards. So NASCAR has fined Matt Kensth of 50 championship points, he will not get the bonus points that come with a win come Chase time nor will it help him earn any wild card position, plus his pole position will not earn him a spot in next year's Sprint Unlimited race. His crew cheif has been suspended for six races (plus the All Star race next month) fined $200,000. His car owner Joe Gibbs has been docked 50 car owner championship points. Also read where Gibbs has had his car lisence for the number 20 (Kenseth's car) suspended for 6 races and won't be able to earn championship car owner points during those six point races. (Never heard of them doing that before...) Matt Kensth's penalty That is where I got my info on Matt Kenseth if you are interested in reading up on it... (My opinion is....I was first shocked to see Kenseth get fined. Am definately not a Kenseth fan, but he is a pretty clean driver (except for the time where he spun Gordon out on the last lap at Bristol....) and isn't known to get penalized. And second of all...wow...surprised that NASCAR has slapped him with such a HUGE fine as this. Or his crew cheif and his car owner. As I said, I am not a Kenseth fan, but do have to say I think NASCAR went overboard on the fining here. If this was Gordon, Johnson, Jr, or Kahne that got hit this hard, I'd be hot with anger right now. I do understand that NASCAR is SUPER sensitive about their new car (as they were with the car of tomorrow - their last car when it had came out) but really? Ah well, I guess...for me I'll be glad this is outside of the Hendrick camp but do believe this is a bit harsh on the 20 team. As I said, all this part is of my opinion, and my opinion only. For how little that is worth...) Both Penske drivers (Keselowski and Logano) who had NASCAR taking their rear housing away and having to get new ones on before the race a couple of weeks ago has forced NASCAR to set the penalties they handed them for their wrong doings aside as they are going to appeal the penalties on May 1st. Will keep you posted or updated on what comes out of that... Hopefully the rest of the NASCAR field that has yet to be hit with fines will make sure to learn from Kenseth's and both Penske drivers' penalties and know they have to cross their t's and dot their i's with this car. NASCAR is no nonsense with this new Gen6 car...as they had been with the Car of Tomorrow -Gen5 car. We will be going night racing this Saturday night at Richmond...can't wait for some racing under the lights! Will make sure to do a better job at my review this week...sorry I was unable to write a full review as I normally do.

Sorry for the lack of my review this afternoon, but as soon as the race is over, I am out the door. So this will be my final post of the day... We got twenty laps to go and Matt Kenseth is still leading with Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson following him. Biggest incident of the race was the Kyle Busch and Joey Logano wreck...all other accidents has been single car spinning out or what not. I will write the finishing order and the points as soon as I get back.